Self Defense

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just curious what people here do for self defense? Specifically, what you do to protect yourself (and family) when you are out and about, not just at home?

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I pay attention no weapons necessary. Always look like you know where you are, where you're going, and when in sketchy areas avoid eye contact and maintain rules 1 and 2.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Just curious what people here do for self defense? Specifically, what you do to protect yourself (and family) when you are out and about, not just at home?

Currently, I just make sure to pay attention. But my plan is to buy an old sherman tank and scrounge up a few ordinances. I don't think that only having firearms is sufficient if the government becomes either too socialist or I just don't agree with them on that particular day.

[slim 1,514]

avoid eye contact

I always make eye contact and make it a point to say hello or good morning or something like that. Sometimes just a nod is enough.

It's when you don't make eye contact that you appear to be attempting to avoid contact. Often times initiating contact is all it takes to let someone know you're going to be confrontational as opposed to hapless. As Gary says on here all the time, you don't have to be superman, you just have to be a harder target than the next guy.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You should do that in Newark, NJ. At night.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I always make eye contact and make it a point to say hello or good morning or something like that. Sometimes just a nod is enough.

It's when you don't make eye contact that you appear to be attempting to avoid contact. Often times initiating contact is all it takes to let someone know you're going to be confrontational as opposed to hapless. As Gary says on here all the time, you don't have to be superman, you just have to be a harder target than the next guy.

Neither of you would last more than an hour in a crappy neighborhood in Los Angeles.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

True that. You don't go into those areas on foot or at night. And you certainly don't start talking to people.

[^_^ 5,021]

I don't do anything besides exercise common sense. I don't walk into the hood at night and when I drive through I drive through without looking at the homeys standing on the corners. Eye contact can be interpreted as "i'm a buyer" or "i'm a cop" or "i'm from a rival gang and i'm challenging your manhood".

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't do anything besides exercise common sense. I don't walk into the hood at night and when I drive through I drive through without looking at the homeys standing on the corners. Eye contact can be interpreted as "i'm a buyer" or "i'm a cop" or "i'm from a rival gang and i'm challenging your manhood".

That won't be an issue for me once I get my tank.

[^_^ 5,021]

That won't be an issue for me once I get my tank.

I might have mentioned my wife works at a boys school for the 'emotionally disturbed'. A few days ago they got a new student and on day 1 there was a fight. All he had to do was step up to the kid who thinks hes the alpha dog of that class, put his chin up and stare him down. Alpha dog felt disrespected and of course he had to avenge the insult. Fight ensued. That's the reality of how people think and act in the hood. Walk up and say hello? Get outta here!

[The_Dude 1,142]

I might have mentioned my wife works at a boys school for the 'emotionally disturbed'. A few days ago they got a new student and on day 1 there was a fight. All he had to do was step up to the kid who thinks hes the alpha dog of that class, put his chin up and stare him down. Alpha dog felt disrespected and of course he had to avenge the insult. Fight ensued. That's the reality of how people think and act in the hood. Walk up and say hello? Get outta here!

That's not just the hood that's like that. Go to a Guido bar....

[^_^ 5,021]

That's not just the hood that's like that. Go to a Guido bar....

Yeah that too. Although I'm a lot closer to the hood than I am to any guido enclaves so they don't come to mind as much.

One of the best things that has happened to the hood in the last decade is the influx of latinos. It used to be so much worse.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yeah that too. Although I'm a lot closer to the hood than I am to any guido enclaves so they don't come to mind as much.

One of the best things that has happened to the hood in the last decade is the influx of latinos. It used to be so much worse.

I think the concept of eye contact being a sign of disrespect is a youth thing as well as a poverty issue. Go to any gathering that is exclusively people under 28 and you'll see that same attitude. It's in the ghettos though that you see this ideal perpetuate beyond youth.

[^_^ 5,021]

I think the concept of eye contact being a sign of disrespect is a youth thing as well as a poverty issue. Go to any gathering that is exclusively people under 28 and you'll see that same attitude. It's in the ghettos though that you see this ideal perpetuate beyond youth.

Good point.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Just curious what people here do for self defense? Specifically, what you do to protect yourself (and family) when you are out and about, not just at home?

i usually just piss my pants & start barking. works everytime.

seriously...if something unavoidable comes up. deal with it as best you can. my wife carries a small can of pepper spray. she knows to spray & run towards others while yelling for help.